Proxy and Voting Rights

My HOA has been allowing proxies be renters, but our declaration clearly states that voting is reserved for Members Of The Association. In order to become a member of the association, you have to own a townhouse in our planned development.
Like wise, they have allowed a person who lives in their parents house, to take a position on the board of directors.
As you can see, I'm a bit confused by the decisions being made. If you give your signature as a proxy, then you give the association your right to vote in the meeting that you gave a proxy for.
Isn't this in affect a way of stating that you will agree to the majority rule on all subjects voted on in the meeting you gave the proxy for? Also, if the proxy is represented by someone who is not a member of the Association(leasee, renter, non-owner) why would they be allowed to vote on any matters at the meeting?
Thanks for any input that might help.

Glen's post about a proxy is right on target.

However, on another issue, if a person that does not own property, but simply lives in the community is on the board of directors, it could invalidate every decision the board has made if membership in the association is required for election to the board.

I do disagree with Glen when he writes, "So if a majority of H/O in person or by proxy vote to change something and it is a valid change then yes you are bound by majority rule. This is not to say that everything voted on by the majority is valid or legal." If something is not valid or legal even if it is the result of a majority vote, you are not bound by majority rule. (A far out example: you would not be bound by a majority vote to rob a bank.)

But hold the horses folks. We don't know what the documents state about membership to the Board. If the documents don't specify that one must be a member to serve, then the person is just fine period. Also, it is common to say the owner or member of their household may serve. Now you may win against a son or daughter but it will be an uphill battle. You will have the burden of showing that the son or daughter is not a household member.

As for a renter voting, if the owner gives the renter a proxy, then the matter is settled. If the owner does not execute a proxy then only the owner can vote. That is unless something grants an automatic proxy to the renter. This could be done in a rental agreement. It could also be done in the by-laws or covenants. Hopefully you would put language to allow the owner to retain their right to vote. But you could include language that indicates that if the owner fails to execute a proxy then one shall be assumed to the given to the renter.

Ours don't either, but they do say you have to be a "member in good standing" - so that implies being a member.